In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has declined to interfere with the construction plans of a national highway project, underscoring the importance of national interest over the convenience of local residents. The court’s decision came in response to a writ petition filed by Brikesh Kumar Mishra, seeking an underpass for better connectivity for the residents of Nagwa village in Ballia district.
The village is located along the Green Field Expressway, constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Mishra’s petition called for the court to direct the NHAI and related authorities to construct an underpass to facilitate smooth entry and exit for the villagers.
However, the division bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Donadi Ramesh, in their verdict dated April 8, emphasized the overarching public significance of the national highway project. The judges stated, “The national highway project is of vital public importance so unless mala fide or apparent arbitrariness is shown, the court would be reluctant to interfere with the public project of such vital significance.”
The court noted that while the petitioner’s concerns were understandable, the project report had already considered the needs of local residents. “It is not possible to provide connectivity to each village with the expressway,” the bench remarked, adding that adequate connectivity measures had already been implemented according to the project’s specifications.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the project’s current provisions did not sufficiently address the connectivity needs of Nagwa village residents. Nevertheless, the court held firm in its decision, citing the absence of any malice or arbitrariness in the planning and execution of the highway project.
